A Junior ISA (JISA) is one of the best ways to save or invest for a child in the UK. Tax-free growth, locked until 18, and for the 2025/26 tax year, you can put in up to £9,000. Here's how they work.
🎯 Quick Facts
- Annual allowance: £9,000 (2025/26 tax year)
- Who can open: Parent or guardian
- Who can contribute: Anyone (family, friends)
- When child can access: Age 18
- Tax status: No tax on growth or income
What is a Junior ISA?
A Junior Individual Savings Account (JISA) is a tax-free savings or investment account for children under 18. The money is locked away until the child turns 18, at which point it becomes theirs to use however they want.
There are two types:
💰 Cash Junior ISA
Like a savings account, but tax-free. Your money earns interest with zero risk.
- Safe — no chance of losing money
- Lower returns (currently 3-5%)
- Good for short-term or cautious savers
📈 Stocks & Shares Junior ISA
Invest in funds, shares, or ETFs. Growth is tax-free, but values can go down.
- Higher potential returns (historically 7%+ long-term)
- Risk — values can fall
- Best for long-term (10+ years)
A child can have one of each type, and you can split the £9,000 allowance between them however you like.
Who Can Open a Junior ISA?
- Parents or legal guardians can open a JISA for a child under 18
- The child must live in the UK
- The child cannot have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) — if they do, you'd need to transfer it to a JISA first
📌 Important
Only the parent/guardian can open the account, but anyone can pay into it. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends — all can contribute up to the £9,000 annual limit.
The £9,000 Allowance Explained
For the 2025/26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), you can put up to £9,000 into a child's JISA.
How you could use it:
Use it or lose it — unused allowance doesn't roll over to the next year.
What Happens at Age 18?
When the child turns 18:
- The Junior ISA automatically converts to a regular (adult) ISA in their name
- They get full control of the money
- They can withdraw some or all of it, or keep it invested
- They can continue adding up to the adult ISA allowance (£20,000 for 2025/26)
⚠️ They Get Full Control
At 18, the money is legally theirs. They could withdraw it all and spend it on whatever they want. This is why financial education matters — teaching them to use it wisely (university, house deposit, etc.) before they turn 18.
Stocks & Shares vs Cash: Which Should You Choose?
| Cash JISA | Stocks & Shares JISA | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk | None (protected) | Values can fall |
| Typical return | 3-5% currently | 5-8% long-term average |
| Best for | Shorter term, cautious | 10+ years, growth-focused |
| Money protected? | Yes (FSCS up to £85k) | Investment value can fall |
Our choice: Zo has a Stocks & Shares JISA because she has 3+ years until university, and historically, stock markets outperform cash over longer periods. But it depends on your risk tolerance and timeline.
Best Junior ISA Providers 2026
We've tested several platforms for Zo's portfolio. Here are our top picks:
🏆 Trading 212
Best for: Beginner investors, low fees
- Zero fees (no platform or trading fees)
- Fractional shares
- Practice mode for learning
- Clean, teen-friendly app
Freetrade
Best for: Simple, commission-free investing
- Zero commission
- Good stock selection
- No practice mode
Vanguard
Best for: Larger portfolios, passive investing
- Ultra-low fund fees (0.15%)
- Great for index funds
- £500 minimum or £100/month
- Less beginner-friendly
See our full comparison: Best Investment Apps for UK Teens 2026
How to Open a Junior ISA
Choose a provider
Compare fees, investment options, and ease of use. We recommend Trading 212 for beginners.
Gather your details
You'll need your ID, National Insurance number, and your child's details (birth certificate or passport).
Apply online
Most providers let you open an account in 10-15 minutes online.
Choose your investments
For a Stocks & Shares JISA, pick funds or shares. We use low-cost index funds (VWRL, IGLT).
Set up regular contributions
Monthly Direct Debit makes it automatic. Start with what you can afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child access the money before 18?
No. Junior ISA money is locked until the child turns 18. There are very limited exceptions (terminal illness, death). If you might need access earlier, consider a different savings option.
What if my child has a Child Trust Fund?
You can't have both a CTF and a JISA. However, you can transfer a CTF to a JISA. Contact your chosen JISA provider to initiate the transfer.
Can I transfer a Junior ISA to another provider?
Yes. You can transfer a JISA to a different provider at any time. The new provider handles the transfer — don't withdraw the money yourself or you'll lose the tax benefits.
Can the child manage the investments?
The parent/guardian manages the account until the child turns 16. At 16, the child can take over management (but still can't withdraw until 18).
What if I put in more than £9,000?
You can't. Providers won't accept contributions over the limit. If you somehow manage to exceed it, HMRC may charge a penalty.
Ready to Start?
See how we're using a Junior ISA to build Zo's university fund.
Important: This is not financial advice. We're sharing our personal experience. The value of investments can go down as well as up. If you're unsure, speak to a qualified financial advisor.
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